If you're waiting for your Marine to come home, please read this entire page for helpful information and support.

As we wait for the day when we get some kind of news that says "Mom, I'm on my way home!", it's helpful to understand what the USMC procedures are for bringing Marines home. The military term for this is "Retrograde", however, we're calling it "Homecomings", because we're moms and dads. This is an important section to read in its entirety; it will help keep us grounded about what to expect and what can be classified as official news and dates for homecomings. Here are a few things to keep in mind while you wait for homecoming announcements, news, and details:

RETURN DATES: REMAIN FLEXIBLE Please understand that the return dates and/or flight windows for homecoming is subject to change at a moments notice; read below for possible reasons why. When and if you are making travel plans to attend homecoming reunions, remember you may need to make changes; so plan to be flexible. The USMC certainly would like to be able to give a firm date, however, it's just not possible.

UNIT HOTLINES AND FRO NUMBERS The Unit Hotline is your resource for announcement of the OFFICIAL departure and/or return date for your Marine's homecoming. The Unit Hotline will be updated as soon as official word is received. For a list of Unit Hotline numbers, there are three places to look (we're updating some of these now, let us know if you need help locating a number):

Post-War Coping Strategies.For help with preparation and possible anxiety of a deployed Marines homecoming, see "Post War Help".

TIPS FOR PLANNING FLEXIBILITY INTO YOUR TRAVELYou may not get much notice of the official homecoming date. With that in mind, you may want to start making travel plans when you hear an official flight window. Be flexible and ask for policies from each company you work with when making reservations.

Airline ReservationsNotify the airline when you are making reservations that your Marine is returning from Iraq and the plans will likely change. Ask if they have anything in place to guarantee lower-cost penalty fees. Some offer insurance. Consider flying an airline that has no penalty for changes (Southwest is a good example). Consider using a travel agency that may offer some type of discount or insurance against changes. Ask first and use your own personal judgement and budget as a guide!

Hotel ReservationsPad the number of days you reserve the hotel room, both on the front end and the back end. Let the hotel know that your plans may change, and get a clear understanding of the hotel's policies.

Rental Car ReservationsReserve early, but again, pad the days. Generally, the earlier you reserve, the better the rate. Subtracting days does not seem to affect the quoted rate as much as adding days. Ask for the company policy.

Homecoming Dates, Changes, RumorsAs many of the families wait for word of their Marine to return from Iraq, a parent of one of those Marines offers this insight:

From Debbie, Marine Mom to Ryan of Simi Valley, CA:There is some frustration that all military family members are feeling with regard to rumors dates/changes of dates of "Homecomings". I think it is very important to support one another and take comfort in the fact that we whom have family serving our country - still in Iraq - are not alone. But I feel very strongly that we as parents, wives, and family need to continue to support all of our military; complaining about the deployment only adds to the frustration of our troops. Keeping up their morale should be our focus; supporting & encouraging them. The days are long, the nights can be even longer, but not nearly as long as the brave strong military member working in 130 degree heat with none of life's luxuries. I can go cry at the beach and pick up dinner on my way home. Watch a movie or go to the mall. Yes, freedom that they don't have but continue to fight for. Whether or not you believe or agree with the military and the plans they've put in place - you owe it to your Marine to continue to support them both privately and publicly.

Possible Procedure for HomecomingsThis is a very brief outline of how "most" homecoming procedures happen. Generally the unit will return the same way they deployed. For example, they originally deployed via commercial and/or military flights, they'll likely fly home. (In some instances, the DoD contracts with commercial airlines for flights. The contracted flights carry military personnel only and the flight numbers are not publicly available. The commercial flights generally fly in and out of military installations, not public airports.) If they were on a float, they'll return via float (ship).

Unit will receive official orders that they can return to deployment base.

Unit is on a waiting list to be assigned to a "Flight Window".

"Flight Window" is assigned. This is generally a 3-5 day span of time that the military expects to put the Unit on a flight back to the states.

Flight Announcement will be given for the actual date the flight will depart from the Middle East and/or arrive back in the United States.

Unit arrives at undisclosed Air Base (this information is not to be shared in public forums even though you may feel like it is common knowledge where the Marines fly into.)

The Marines board a bus (in some instances several busses) bound for the base station.

The Unit arrives at the base station.

Generally the Marines will need to check in equipment prior to arriving at the reunion site.

Family will meet Marines at the designated homecoming reunion site.

From there, its up to the CO what happens. Here are some possibilities:

Some units will get a 72 or 96-hour off-duty time to spend with their family.

After the initial 72-96 hours off, most units will remain on duty at the base for about 2 weeks.

Those two weeks will include working hours as well as briefs for transitioning out of a combat zone back into the US.

Most units will schedule a unit block leave of up to 30 days.

Marines will have the option of taking time off during the block leave.

Marines will use their accrued leave time, and in some instances, the Marines are allowed to "borrow against" future accrued leave time.

Leave time varies from Marine to Marine, as well as from unit to unit.

Homecomings by ShipOf course those coming in on ships that were deployed from other bases (both east and west coast) have quite a bit of lead time and you will likely get communication from your Marine and/or the news media.

Obtaining accurate information.For Marines that will fly home, if you get a phone call from your Marine, listen for the terminology "Flight Window" and write down every detail of that. Also, as soon as we have reliable, accurate information and dates about troop movement back home, we'll post it under "Official News of Homecomings" on the message board forum for EACH unit. Please, take everything you hear with a grain of salt; even news from your Marine. The Marines are subject to rumor as well. Homecoming news is not official until it comes from the mouth of the USMC. Patience is an operative word here.

Be careful of rumors.Rumors seem to travel faster than news. Even the Marines in the field are subject to rumors and unclear information. Be careful of passing on rumors and try to verify any information that is given to you 'second-hand'. Label unverified information as a potential rumor prior to passing it along.

The military is constantly planning.Military planning is in constant revision based on an almost endless number of factors and situations and world events. Because of this, it will take a decent amount of time to firm up plans for bringing troops home.

Prioritizing troop movement to home.Troops with medical needs and former POWs will take priority over all other troop movements to return home. I've heard (UNOFFICIALLY!) that "Stop-Loss" Marines may have a priority in returning stateside, taking leave, and/or finishing their career with the USMC. Stop-Loss are the Marines whose enlistment in the Corps was extended in January due to the possible conflict in Iraq. (Information on Stop-Loss pertains to the 2003 Homecomings. As of August, 20o4, there is no Stop-Loss in place for the USMC.)

Continue to pray.Please keep praying for the safe return of our Marines and the troops, all the way to the United States of America.